By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“)
In a town famous for launching its most famous celebration on Twelfth Night, one might think the connection to the self-named Shakespearean comedy would be a given. But, alas, the title selected by the Bard for this memorable work has absolutely nothing to do with the promise of Carnival or mirth making. Even the subtitle of What You Will is ambiguous.
Yet Twelfth Night does not require a title that makes much sense. Like the perennial adage about a book and its cover, any title that falls short of including a reference to mistaken identity, past indiscretions or foolishness in love, could scarcely suffice.
A. J. Allegra takes especial delight in presenting Shakespeare to new audiences. His previous body of work as an artistic director of The NOLA Project includes his directing both timeless tragedies and frothy comedies; it has established him as one of the more creative of interpreters of Stratford-on-Avon’s most famous resident. His industry is this particular work shines like the lustrous pearl being used to describe the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival’s 30th anniversary season.
In the pivotal role of Viola, the twin sister of Sebastian separated in a shipwreck off the coast of Illyria, is Payj Ruffins. She believes her brother has been killed and that she is the last of her family. The conceit in Shakespeare’s play is that when the sister disguises herself as a man in order to move about the country freely, she is easily confused for the very image of Sebastian, portrayed by Detalion Dixon.
While Ruffins and Dixon are quite dissimilar, their costumes by Kaci Thomassie are, indeed, easily confused. So, we can take that leap more readily as the play unfolds.
Viola, disguised as Cesario, a page, finds employment under the employ of lovesick Duke Orsino, played by a melancholy Benjamin Dougherty. Orsino is gobsmacked by Olivia (Brittany Williams), whose wealthy estate and beauty make her the object of desire not just for the duke, but also for several other suitors including her pompous and vain head of household, Malvolio (Graham Burk) and Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Keith Claverie and Allegra in the final week).
In order to have a hearty laugh at Malvolio’s expense, Olivia’s uncle Sir Toby Belch and Aguecheek hatch a plan with the ready and able assistance of her housemaid Maria (Natalie Boyd). Maria adroitly pens a letter in her lady’s handwriting that informs the steward he would be so much more desirous of her were he to wear cross-gartered yellow stockings and smile more when he saw her.
The results for the usually puritanical Malvolio is that he is deemed mad and forced to sequester himself away while trying to prove to one and all that he is still in possession of his faculties. Burk’s tortured performance as Malvolio is a highlight of Twelfth Night, but Sebastian turning out to be alive and well triggers another sub-plot.
Harkins’ ribald performance as Sir Toby is another highlight of this production and his interaction with Boyd as Maria is richly layered. Their plot with Aguecheek to ridicule Malvolio could not be better devised and it is carried out with the assistance of Feste, played by Rich Dally III.
Meanwhile, Sebastian is rescued by a sea captain, Antonio (Robert Mitchell), who has befriended him for several months. Some years previous, Antonio had made an enemy of Orsino’s family and so, when he returns with Sebastian to Illyria, he does so at great peril.
Olivia is smitten with Cesario as he pleas for her love on behalf of Orsino. But she falls instead for the page and not the count. In reality, though, we know it is Viola who is truly in love with Orsino. The arrival of her twin Sebastian dramatically changes this triangle of unrequited love, but also brings with it an element of danger to Antonio.
Ainsley Matich’s accessible original music is perfectly suited to the show and the scenic design and props by Joan Long go a long way in maintaining its very high production values.
Harkins, an established award-winning sound designer, does double duty with Twelfth Night, rendering his designs in advance for execution off stage while playing out his role as Sir Toby on the stage. Superb lighting designs are by Mandi Wood.
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, or What You Will, continues in the Lupin Theater of the Dixon Hall Annex as part of the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival’s 30th season with final evening performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 22-24, at 7:30 p.m. A final matinee will be held on Saturday, June 24 at 1:30 p.m. For tickets call 504-865-5106 or click here.
